Baroness Doreen Lawrence's four-year tenure as Chancellor comes to an end

Students, staff and governors at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) have paid tribute to the work and impact of Baroness Doreen Lawrence as her four-year tenure as Chancellor finishes at the end of this month.

Since 2016, Baroness Lawrence has been a visible and active Chancellor on campus, meeting and inspiring students, and helping to raise the profile of DMU both nationally and internationally.

One of the highlights of Baroness Lawrence’s tenure was the opening of the Stephen Lawrence Research Centre, in the creation of which she played a major role. The centre’s aim is to drive forward conversations that will shape and influence research on race and social justice.

New Chair of the Board of Governors, Ian Squires, who took up his post earlier this month, said: “We are delighted that Baroness Lawrence intends to continue to play a role in the Stephen Lawrence Research Centre’s development. Her experience and commitment to its work as a leading national research centre in the study of social justice will be invaluable to its future work.” 

Interim Vice-Chancellor Professor Andy Collop paid tribute to her work with DMU students and staff: “Baroness Lawrence is recognised for her national campaigning on social justice and equality issues and has inspired a new generation of people to engage in this important area.

“We thank her for taking on this role and sharing her passion and experience to help support our aims to be a positive force for good for our students and staff, our city and beyond.” 

Speaking on behalf of DMU’s students, De Montfort Students’ Union Executive Officers said: “Baroness Lawrence’s contribution to the university since January 2016 has been a significant one. She has championed equality for all of our students and instilled an ethos within us to challenge the face of injustice, and for that the students of DMU extend their heartfelt thanks to her for her hard work and dedication over the last four years.”

Former Interim Chair of DMU’s Board of Governors, Lin Hinnigan, thanked Baroness Lawrence for her work as Chancellor: “On behalf of the Board of Governors, I extend my deepest gratitude to Baroness Lawrence for her work over the last four years and for the significant contribution she has made to the life of the university since her investiture in January 2016.”

During Baroness Lawrence’s tenure, DMU has been nationally recognised for its work, being awarded the Teaching Excellence Framework ‘Gold’ award in 2017, named a Global Hub for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 16 – promoting peace, justice and strong institutions – and becoming the first ‘University of the Year for Social Inclusion’ in the Good University Guide 2019.